Providence, RI Demographics

A map of Providence's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	86,835	83,815	45.3%	43.9%
White	63,482	61,917	33.1%	32.4%
Black	19,632	22,429	10.2%	11.7%
Asian	11,856	11,359	6.2%	5.9%
Multiracial	6,950	8,276	3.6%	4.3%
Native American/Other	3,012	3,138	1.6%	1.6%

Providence, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 191,767, a less than 1% change from the 190,934 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.3% Hispanic, 33.1% White, 10.2% Black, 6.2% Asian, 3.6% Multiracial, and 1.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Providence, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Providence has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Rhode Island overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Providence, that probability was 68.3% in 2020 and 67.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Providence is ranked the most populous place in Rhode Island, out of 36 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Providence was ranked the 1st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Providence's White Population

63,482 residents of Providence, or 33.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Providence is significantly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Providence ranks 35th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence's White population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. White residents' share of Providence's population has increased from 32.4% to 33.1%.

Providence is more White than neighboring Central Falls (15.1% White). Providence is less White than neighboring East Providence (72.8% White), Pawtucket (46.3% White), Cranston (65.3% White), and Valley Falls (77.6% White).

Providence's Black Population

19,632 residents of Providence, or 10.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Providence is higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Providence ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence's Black population has declined by an estimated 12.5%. Black residents' share of Providence's population has decreased from 11.7% to 10.2%.

Providence is more Black than neighboring East Providence (5.9% Black), Central Falls (9.7% Black), Cranston (5.3% Black), and Valley Falls (6.6% Black). Providence is less Black than neighboring Pawtucket (11% Black).

Providence's Asian Population

11,856 residents of Providence, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Providence is slightly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Providence ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence's Asian population has grown by an estimated 4.4%. Asian residents' share of Providence's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.2%.

Providence is more Asian than neighboring East Providence (2.6% Asian), Pawtucket (1.2% Asian), Central Falls (0.1% Asian), and Valley Falls (0.5% Asian). Providence is less Asian than neighboring Cranston (6.8% Asian).

Providence's Hispanic Population

86,835 residents of Providence, or 45.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Providence is significantly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Providence ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Providence's population has increased from 43.9% to 45.3%.

Providence is more Hispanic than neighboring East Providence (9.4% Hispanic), Pawtucket (26.8% Hispanic), Cranston (18.8% Hispanic), and Valley Falls (9.2% Hispanic). Providence is less Hispanic than neighboring Central Falls (69.1% Hispanic).

Providence's Native American/Other Population

3,012 residents of Providence, or 1.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Providence is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Providence ranks 8th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Providence's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Providence is more Native American/Other than neighboring Central Falls (1.5% Native American/Other), Cranston (0.5% Native American/Other), and Valley Falls (0.2% Native American/Other). Providence is less Native American/Other than neighboring East Providence (2.6% Native American/Other), and Pawtucket (2.5% Native American/Other).

Providence's Multiracial Population

6,950 residents of Providence, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Providence is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Providence ranks 12th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 16.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Providence's population has decreased from 4.3% to 3.6%.

Providence is more Multiracial than neighboring Cranston (3.3% Multiracial). Providence is less Multiracial than neighboring East Providence (6.7% Multiracial), Pawtucket (12.1% Multiracial), Central Falls (4.6% Multiracial), and Valley Falls (6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.